Cold water exposure suits discussion

[scubashawn123]

My 5 mil is working well this winter diving in Lake Travis. I am pleased so far with the warmth factor and being able to dive WET this winter.

Thought I would share this success in 58 degree water.

 

[James R]

My 5 mil is working well this winter diving in Lake Travis. I am pleased so far with the warmth factor and being able to dive WET this winter.

Thought I would share this success in 58 degree water.

I read somewhere ... "any fool can be uncomfortable" :mooner:

I remember being in a 5mm + hooded vest in 54-55 degree water earlier in the year without any issue, but that was also when the surface temp was much warmer and the air temp was such that warming up between dives was easy.

 

[carlislere]

I usually end up wet once a winter in my drysuit. That has already happened, so I should be good from here on! I will dive my drysuit till the water warms up to 65+ degrees in April or May. By then it is getting to hot to be on the beach or deck in a drysuit, so I am ready to switch. I have a Bare 7mm suit which comes with a hooded no sleeve, short leg piece and a 7mm full suit. Talk about warm! I have read of divers in colder climates just using that suit for their winter diving, which is why I bought it. It will also serve as a good backup should something happen to my drysuit which required sending it back to DUI, although that has never happened.

 

[Bill Parker]

One of these can come in real handy in cold weather:



My dive buddy (GrumpyOldGuy) for the Valhalla missile silo
brought one of these when I dove it in January 2009. It
made us all dry and warm within a few minutes of
the chilly dive. You can get them for around $60 and
operate them for a several hours for just a few dollars
in propane.

Mr. Heater

 

[bogrady]

We had one of these on a dive in January of '10. Wasn't very effective however. Could have something to do with the fact that among 6 divers, none of us had remembered to bring a lighter.

One of these can come in real handy in cold weather:



My dive buddy (GrumpyOldGuy) for the Valhalla missile silo
brought one of these when I dove it in January 2009. It
made us all dry and warm within a few minutes of
the chilly dive. You can get them for around $60 and
operate them for a several hours for just a few dollars
in propane.

Mr. Heater

 

[scubashawn123]

We had one of these on a dive in January of '10. Wasn't very effective however. Could have something to do with the fact that among 6 divers, none of us had remembered to bring a lighter.

You were just missing the cigar smoking diver type on that excursion

therefore I guess you were a little cold

 

[Lake Travis Scuba]

You were just missing the cigar smoking diver type on that excursion

therefore I guess you were a little cold

You can always count on a cigar smoker to have a light, usually a torch.....

 

[scubashawn123]

You can always count on a cigar smoker to have a light, usually a torch.....

YEP, I have a whiskey in one hand and my cigar in the other looking for that torch on Friday night.

 

[NJDiverMark]

Would a 7mm wetsuit and 7mm hooded vest and 7mm gloves and 7mm boots be ok for low 40° water?

 

[hypertech]

Would a 7mm wetsuit and 7mm hooded vest and 7mm gloves and 7mm boots be ok for low 40° water?

You would probably live.

But, in my opinion - not a chance.